I am a plastic surgeon in Little Rock, AR. I used to "suture for a living", I continue "to live to sew". These days most of my sewing is piecing quilts. I love the patterns and interplay of the fabric color. I would like to explore writing about medical/surgical topics as well as sewing/quilting topics. I will do my best to make sure both are represented accurately as I share with both colleagues and the general public.

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Monday, May 16, 2011

Updated 3/2017-- all links (except to my own posts) removed as many no longer active.

Four years ago I began this blog. It amazes me to realize all the wonderful people I have meet (some even in real life) along the way. Many are still actively writing, but others are not and I miss them.

I miss SurgeXperiences, a grand rounds of surgery related posts.

I miss Surgeonsblog. Go read some of the “sampler” posts.

I miss Ant Ears written by a surgery resident. Thoughtful, well written, deleted so not even there to go back and read. From one of my old “shout out” post, I found the exert that described why he called his blog Ant Ears

"Ant ears” is surgical jargon for the perfect length. The medical student will repeatedly be asked to cut suture. Sometimes the knot will accidentally be cut, but most times the student will cut “too long” or “too short”. Fifty or more attempts will usually produce a reliable knot cutter capable of trying more advanced techniques like tying suture around some non vital structure - maybe closing skin or holding a drain in place.

I miss Dr. Rob, Musing of a Distractible Mind, who “unplugged” back December 30, 2010. He has recently re-emerged on twitter so perhaps he will begin to write again.

I wonder what happened to Bright Lights, Cold Steel, “a surgery resident in the fifth and last year of training. Desperately seeking balance,” who’s last post was in 2008. Are you in private practice? Have you joined a group? Are you an academic surgeon? I hope you are doing well.

While Moof, All Blogged Up: A Moof's Tale, and the Merry Laundress don’t blog any more, I get to play scrabble with them on facebook. I correspond with Chrysalis Angel via email.

There are others I miss as well:

Charmaine's Pastry Blog (last post December 2010)

Donorcycle (last post February 2010)

IntraopOrate (last post January 2011)

Just Up The Dose (last post October 2009)

Marianas Eye (November 2009)

Rural Doctoring (last post August 2010)

I apologize to all of you for not being as active in leaving comments on your blog posts these days. Thank you for enriching my life.

I, too, admire your diligence!! 4 years! ... although I thought it was longer still. :) The truly admirable thing is that your blogs are not only consistent, but consistently insightful and smart. Thank you!

Happy blogiversary to you! The medical blogosphere wouldn't be the same without you, Ramona. I'm so glad you're keeping in touch with everyone... Blogging is an endurance sport, and you're one of the fittest! ;-)

Over the years, I have had not only the pleasure to read your blog, but meet you in person and share your kindness. Irrespective of where your blog has lead you so far, I am forever grateful that our paths have collided as a result.

Congrats to you and may you have another equally-satisfying four more!

Happy Blog-irthday! Like Dr. Wes I treasure having been able to meet you in person. I also love that you have a common understanding of West Virginia as a result of spending time here during your residency and working with Dr. Kappel. I've been doing this blog thing for 7 years now - so I understand the ups and downs of posting. Keep up the posts.

Thanks so much for writing (a solo blog no less!) all of these years. You have done great work. You make a good point about comments on other people's blogs. It seems that only a few years ago I was doing that much more often. But with Twitter it seems less so these days. I have made a few efforts to start commenting more consistently, but it is hard to keep up at times. I am so happy for your anniversary. Keep blogging!

Happy Blogiversary! You have not only been a great member of the medical blogosphere, you have been a great friend to me and to my social media projects. Thanks so much for all that you do. Congratulations!

Hi Ramona - Happy Blogiversary!! I thought you were around longer than 4 years. You have a stellar blog. Most informative and a lot of work goes into it. I often read from bloglines and have been remiss in getting out to comment as often in the blogosphere, but hope springs eternal.

You are such a busy woman and you also have two other blogs?

Do you sleep? :)

I will always remember your kindness and generosity to my family. Thank you for the times you've taken the time to be a support to me via comments/e-mail.You're obviously a blessing to so many Ramona.

I miss the bloggers that have closed down too. I also miss Dr Keagirl from Urostream, Scalpel and Charity doc. Maybe they will all reopen their blogs sometime in the future.

So ...again ...Happy 4th Blogiversary and may you have many more. If i could ...i'd send you a yummy cyber birthday cake. :)

Disclaimer

My purpose in writing my blog is to attempt to provide good solid medical information on topics of my choosing. It is a way to educate myself, my colleagues, and the general public. References will be provided on medical posts, but not on opinion essays or poetry posts. An additional purpose is to share my interest in quilting topics, a way to show my human side.

Any medical information provided by this site is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice. It should not be used to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Always seek professional medical consultation by a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions - please, do not ignore your doctor's medical advice based on information written by the author or commenters of this site. Please do not ask me for medical advice, but instead contact a healthcare provider in your area. Anything written about office/hospital situations/events are fictional examples to get a point across. No patient is/will ever be a specific patient (unless given written permission), but a fictional one. To know more about how I handle medical information about patients please link here. Unless, I am praising a colleague, even those will be fictional. Any similarities to you or people you know is purely coincidental. My husband and I, and our dogs are fair game.

In early 2009 I joined the Better Health Network. As part of that Network, I will occasionally be paid for my writing. Those posts will be clearly noted. I will strive to maintain my high ethical standards. If I add any advertising, it will be clearly marked as such.

Privacy Principles

I do not intend to use this blog to collect or dispense private health information on patients. If any patient is used as an explicit example for a posting, I will get that patient's consent in writing to use their story and/or photo. The office is permitted by federal privacy laws to make uses and disclosures of your health information for purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations. However, that is not the intent of this blog. I intend to share information on medical/quilting topics with the general public and my colleagues. This web site does not share or sell any personal information, including your name, address, or email addresses with third parties. Have a blessed day!